Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. gives his support to Attorney General Martha Coakley in her run for governor's office

Tuesday

Aug 19, 2014 at 8:46 PMAug 20, 2014 at 11:02 AM

Democratic candidate for governor Martha Coakley delivered an upbeat, optimistic message during her appearance Tuesday in Taunton, in which she officially picked up the endorsement of Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr.

Charles Winokoor Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter @cwinokoor

TAUNTON — Democratic candidate for governor Martha Coakley delivered an upbeat, optimistic message during her appearance Tuesday in Taunton, in which she officially picked up the endorsement of Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr.

“I think the future is terrific for Taunton. More people from Boston should come down here and see what’s happening,” Coakley told a crowd of about a dozen, who heard her speak at the new headquarters and training center of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 223.

The state’s first female attorney general was flanked by Hoye and Local 223 business manager/financial secretary David Fenton while addressing the crowd in an unfinished section of 475 Myles Standish Boulevard at the Myles Standish Industrial Park.

Coakley said new classrooms under construction at the Local 223 facility, as well as plans for a future life-sciences campus in another section of the industrial park, are emblematic of her commitment to the development of the renewable-energy industry in the commonwealth.

She also stressed the importance of pursuing a fresh, comprehensive approach to K-12 education to prepare young graduates with the skills needed to fill those jobs.

Hoye said he was endorsing Coakley for her continued advocacy of creating opportunities for Taunton and other “gateway cities,” which are mid-sized cities with long-standing social and economic challenges.

The mayor said he also appreciates Coakley’s commitment to keeping Taunton State Hospital open so families in the southeastern region can stay in close contact and visit with relatives who are patients there.

The mental-health facility currently has state funding to stay open through 2014 with 45 beds, down from its original number of 169.

Gov. Deval Patrick previously said he intends to close the facility in favor of a new hospital now operating in Worcester.

Hoye said Coakley has assured him that if elected governor, she would endeavor to increase annual, local funding aid to Taunton. He also complimented her office’s blighted-property receivership program that has led to vacant sites being improved and placed back on tax rolls.

When asked what specifically differentiates her economic strategy from Republican frontrunner Charlie Baker, in terms of the greater Taunton region, Coakley said she is now fully focused on the September primary election.

But she went on to say that business growth continues to be hampered by red tape, which she said includes “overlapping regulations” and “agencies that don’t always talk to each other.”

Among those in attendance were candidate for Bristol County Commissioner Daniel Dermody and School Committee member Carol Doherty.

Doherty said Coakley’s experience as attorney general was “a good training ground for making tough decisions.”

“I think she’s honest and straightforward,” Doherty said.

Coakley’s main challenger in the primary will be former state treasurer Steven Grossman.

Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan has also come out in support of Coakley’s gubernatorial bid.